Men’s Health Month: An Integrative Approach to His Wellness
Okay, ladies, this one is for the men in your life! June marks Men’s Health Month and Father’s Day, so let’s talk about ways to support men's skin health and internal wellness. Let’s start on the outside and move inward:
Facials
Besides the fact that men secretly love to be pampered, the skin benefits of a facial are incredible for men. Most men don’t have a disciplined skincare regime, so dirt and bacteria build up more heavily on their skin, especially for men who work outdoors and are exposed to harmful pollutants and excess sun that contribute to premature aging.
A facial every 4-6 weeks will help maintain a youthful appearance, control oil production reducing breakouts and blackheads, maintain hydration, and reduce skin damage caused by harsh working conditions and sun exposure.
Skincare
Okay let’s be honest here, men need a little direction in the skincare department. Just a few basics can make a huge impact on men’s skin health and repair a compromised skin barrier from years of not washing their face, or using bar soap as their 5-in-1 solution. Throw away their Dove bar soap and put a few high-quality staples beside the sink instead!
Cleanser- We like a high-foaming cleanser for men. This is because they can physically see it “doing something” on their skin. Foaming cleansers are effective yet gentle enough so to not strip the skin of its natural oils. If you can get your hands on a Vitamin C infused cleanser like DermaQuest’s C Infusion Cleanser, this will give his skin an extra boost of brightness.
Bright & Clear Solution- This solution will blow bar soap out of the water! In addition to boosting hydration, AlumierMD’s Bright & Clear Solution gently exfoliates dead skin cells off the surface of the skin, decongests pores, helps prevent ingrown hairs (ouch!), and refines the skin’s appearance. This solution is gentle enough to use every day and it should be! (Take that bar soap!)
SPF- A nourishing SPF that doesn’t require a moisturizer underneath can eliminate the extra step of moisturizing for him, and protect against the sun. AlumierMD’s Clear Shield is a quick-absorbing formula that is non-comedogenic so it won’t clog his pores or contribute to breakouts. It’s broach spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA (wavelengths that cause premature aging) and UVB (wavelengths that cause burning).
Exfoliator- If the man in your life enjoys a little extra selfcare, a physical exfoliator like AlumierMD’s MicroDerm Polish is a luxurious at-home facial experience. Used once a week, this ultra-foamy formulation sloughs off dead skin cells and will leave his skin incredibly soft and bright!
Neuromodulators
Best known for turning frown lines upside down, Botox also treats common facial pain like TMJ and masseter inflammation. Excessive clenching can cause both areas to become inflamed resulting in headaches, chewing pain, and the masseters becoming enlarged creating a puffiness in the lower face. Botox relaxes these muscles providing relief to the areas. The best part is no one has to know he has it… and if he decides to add a few units in the forehead while he’s at it, there’s no judgement here!
Supplements
While both men and women benefit from taking supplements as necessary, some supplements in particular have unique benefits for men.
Vitamin D- First, Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which aids in strong, healthy muscles, a crucial component for athletic men and men working labour-intensive jobs. Healthy Vitamin D levels also contribute to mood regulation and healthy stress levels. As we age, our bodies have a harder time absorbing Vitamin D from the sun. Men who work outside all day may feel they don’t require supplementation for Vitamin D; however, their bodies may have a harder time absorbing adequate amounts of Vitamin D if they work in high-pollutant or smoggy areas, or if their skin is mostly covered during the day.
Zinc- Not only is Zinc a powerhouse supplement for immunity, Zinc plays a major role in men’s reproductive health including boosting prostate health and encouraging testosterone production. The body can’t produce Zinc on its own, so with additional benefits such as aiding in the prevention of age-related vision deterioration and osteoporosis, ensuring the men in your life are getting enough Zinc through supplementation is important for overall health.
Probiotics- No one is at their best when their gut isn’t happy. The role of probiotics is to restore and maintain a healthy gut bacteria population. An overpopulation of bad gut bacteria not only leads to stomach upsets, but can lead to sleep issues, depression and anxiety. In instances where there’s a lot of, shall we say, “grab and go” lunch and snacks throughout the day, it’s likely the gut microbiome is favouring unhealthy bacteria. Incorporating a daily probiotic aids in having a happy gut and in turn, a happy brain!
Naturopathic Consult
A Naturopathic Physician can treat a variety of common men’s health concerns such as sleep disturbances, chronic pain, optimal vitamin and mineral levels, mood irregularities, heightened stress levels and more. Taking an inside-out approach to men’s health, naturopathic medicine utilizes holistic remedies and the power of the body’s own healing power to help the men in your life live optimally.
When it comes to promoting men's health, wellness and skin care, taking a comprehensive approach like the Natology method is key . From skincare to neuromodulators, supplements, and naturopathic health consultations, addressing both external and internal factors is essential for overall well-being and that extra little “pep in their step” they need for ultimate success in all areas of life. Help them begin their journey by sneaking some high-quality skincare beside the bathroom sink, adding some key vitamins to their daily routine, or scheduling a treatment on their behalf to jumpstart their wellness journey ;)
